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The rain drenches my clothes in a matter of seconds, but I forge through it. I have no idea where I’m going or where I will end up, all I know is that I need to leave. I need to go somewhere she’ll never find me.
Bypassing the mailbox and turning onto the sidewalk, I hurry past her old, beat-up car, and for a brief second, I consider taking it as my own. I could hotwire it like my daddy taught me before he died, but that will only give her another reason to come for me. And let’s face it, my driving skills are nonexistent. She certainly made sure of that.
Dark strands of hair stick to the side of my face as I turn my eyes down, shielding myself from the heavy rain as I try to concentrate on the path before me. One step after another, I have to keep going. The street lights flicker above me, creating an eerie glow across the deserted road as I dodge puddles and try to remind myself that this will be worth it. Yeah, it’s shit now and scary as fuck, but I have to do this. I have to be free from her.
Heading toward the city, my feet start to ache as I will a car to drive by and stop for me. I’ve never been one to take a ride from a stranger, but I’m freezing and wet with the rain pounding against my body, and goddamn this wind feels like a million tiny shards of glass hitting me at once. There’s not a lot I wouldn’t do right now. But I doubt anyone will be out this late at night, especially during this storm. I have to face it. I left on my own, and I’m going to see this through on my own.
A lump forms in my throat as I realize just how shitty this situation really is. But I have no choice. It was now or never. I hold back my tears, feeling more alone than ever as my hands violently shake from the chill seeping into my bones.
What the hell am I going to do? I have no family, no friends, and nowhere to go. It’s going to be my first night sleeping on the street, and I scold myself for being so stupid. I should have waited for morning or at least until the storm had passed, but who knows what might have happened had she woken before I had a chance to leave.
If she knew what I’d done . . . fuck.
Reaching the peak of a hill, something has me looking up, and I gaze out at a view that’s just as beautiful as it is haunting. The soft glow of the city light shines below as the storm rages around it. I must have been out here for hours. The view of the city has tears welling in my eyes, but I refuse to cry. I’m nearly there. So fucking close.
I can do this. I will not give up. My daddy didn’t raise a quitter.
Picking up my pace despite my aching feet, I push myself toward the city, the determination drumming through my veins. I make my way down the hill, my feet pounding against the pavement, desperation spurring me on. I continue for another thirty minutes or so before the city streets finally appear before me, and I’m hit with a wave of undeniable relief. She won’t find me here. It’s too busy. She hates coming into the city. She always said she could never navigate her way around.
Making my way through the deserted streets, I look for any help wanted signs in store windows or adverts for places to stay I could check out come morning, but there’s nothing. Nada. Zilch.
My feet begin dragging as my heavy eyes beg for sleep, and I know I need to stop. I look up and down the streets, desperately searching for somewhere safe enough to crash for the night, but everything is closed. I find some sheltered steps that lead up to a storefront and quickly dive into it, giving my feet a small break while relieved to be out of the heavy rain. Though the shelter can offer a small reprieve, it does nothing for the chill deep in my bones or the water soaked through my clothes.
Pulling my suitcase up beside me, I go about searching for a dry hoodie only to find everything inside the case is just as wet as I am.
Helplessness tears through me as a loud sob rips from the back of my throat. I’ve never felt so deflated in my life. I just need to make it through the night, and I’ll be alright come morning. It’s just a setback. Nothing I can’t handle.
Needing a few minutes to wallow in self-pity, I drop my face into my hands and rest them on my knees as the tears stream from my eyes. Taking deep breaths, I try to get myself under control as I listen to the soothing sound of the rain against the road, hoping it can offer me just a moment of peace.
